Living with Factor I deficiency
An immune system condition that leads to repeated infections and sometimes kidney problems.
Understanding Factor I deficiency
Infections can include those of the upper airways, ears, skin, and urinary tract. More serious infections such as pneumonia and meningitis can occur. Some people have a kidney disorder (glomerulonephritis) or an autoimmune disorder such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis. It can appear from childhood to adulthood.
Signs & symptoms
Symptoms vary from person to person. GARD lists these among the most common:
- Repeated middle ear infections
- Repeated sinus infections
- Repeated meningitis
- Repeated skin infections
- Repeated urinary tract infections
- Kidney inflammation (glomerulonephritis)
Not everyone has every symptom. GARD's list comes from the Human Phenotype Ontology.
Diagnosis
- 1Talk with your doctor
Share the symptoms you've noticed, when they started and your family health history. Notes and photos can help.
- 2See a specialist
Specialists who may be involved include allergy and immune system specialists and genetic specialists.
- 3Consider genetic testing
Changes in CFI are linked to this condition. Genetic testing and counseling can help confirm a diagnosis and explain what it means for your family.
- 4Connect with expert centers
Immune Deficiency Foundation may keep lists of experts for this condition.
Care & treatment
- Care team
- Allergy and immune system specialists (allergists / immunologists); Genetic specialists (geneticists)
- Expert care
- Expert lists: Immune Deficiency Foundation
- Treatment
- GARD doesn't list specific treatments for this condition. Your care team will tailor care to your symptoms.
- Research
- Clinical trials and observational studies may be options. See the research section below.
General information, not medical advice. Your care team makes the decisions.
Everyday life
Living with a rare condition is easier with support.
- Connect with Immune Deficiency Foundation
- Keep notes on symptoms, changes and questions for appointments
- Ask about patient registries that help research
- Look into financial aid and travel resources for care visits
Quick facts
Changes in the CFI gene cause this condition. It is autosomal recessive, which means a child inherits a changed copy of the gene from each parent.
Also known as: c3 inactivator deficiency; cfid; complement component 3 inactivator deficiency; complement factor 3i deficiency; complement factor i deficiency; complete factor i deficiency
Patient organizations
- Immune Deficiency FoundationPrimary immunodeficiency · United States
Broader rare-disease groups
- Global GenesRare Diseases · United States
- National Organization for Rare DisordersRare Diseases · United States
- Genetic AllianceRare Diseases · United States
- RARE FoundationRare Diseases · United States
You are more than your diagnosis
Perspectives from people navigating life with Factor I deficiency.
Explore research for Factor I deficiency
Explore actively recruiting Factor I deficiency studies with HealthSpark.
Find actively recruiting studies for Factor I deficiency with HealthSpark. Share your city to explore research near you.
- Recruiting studies from ClinicalTrials.gov
- Share your city to look for research near you
- Eligibility is confirmed by the study team
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Powered by HealthSpark, our AI chat helper · Study information from ClinicalTrials.gov · Eligibility is confirmed by the study team.
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